Washington, Law, Patten All Banged Up During Win

Ian Logue

Sep 21, 2003 at 3:00am ET

FOXBORO, MA - The Patriots had a tough afternoon on Sunday, with three starters getting banged up during New England's 23-16 victory over the Jets.

Defensive lineman Ted Washington, defensive back Ty Law, and wide receiver David Patten all left the game on Sunday with injuries. It wasn't exactly good news for a Patriots defense that had already lost several starters just three games into the season. The team had already lost former safety Lawyer Milloy due to a salary cap cut, along with linebacker Ted Johnson who is out with a broken foot, and teammate Roosevelt Colvin who was just placed on injured reserve this week after suffering a fractured hip last weekend against Philadelphia.

New England was also without offensive lineman Mike Compton who had been downgraded prior to the game from questionable to "out".

Following his injury Washington had to be helped off the field and didn't return. Belichick later told the media after the game that Washington suffered a fracture in his leg and will likely miss a few weeks.

As for the rest of the players Belichick didn't have any information.

"I don't know," Belichick told the media after the game when asked about the status of the rest of his injured players. "We'll take a look at them."

Quarterback Tom Brady also seemed to be favoring his right arm during the game, the same one he banged up last Sunday against the Eagles. The normally proficient Brady also had several errant throws during the game, which may have been a result of his sore elbow. Brady's name was not on the team's injury report when it was released earlier in the week.

Washington was replaced by veteran Rick Lyle, while rookie Asante Samuel filled in for Law.

Patten was seen on the sidelines with ice on his lower leg and also didn't return.

Samuel played well in place of Law, stepping in front of Jets receiver Wayne Chrebet and returning a Vinny Testaverde interception 55-yards for a touchdown to put the Patriots up for good at 23-9 early in the fourth quarter.

With Johnson and Colvin out of the game rookie Dan Klecko also saw action during the game and finished with a tackle .

Meanwhile Law returned late in the fourth quarter and helped the Pats defense hold off the Jets as his team improved to 2-1 on the season.